Shop Talk: The ins and outs of Berkeley businesses

The Shop: a new barber shop at 1481 Shattuck Ave.. Photo: Siciliana Trevino

THE SHOP We told you about new barber shop going into old Kids’ Dynamo space on Shattuck last month. The Shop is now open at 1481 Shattuck Ave. next to Saul’s Deli. It’s the second barber shop for owner Dustin Clark who has another location in Petaluma. The Shop offers cuts for men, women and kids. They also do color, highlights, deep conditioning, and waxing. Open 7 days a week, no appointments are needed. Just walk-in, or call ahead to get your name on the list. The Shop Cuts for Men & Women, 1481 Shattuck Ave. Tel: 510-524-1258.

SWEET DREAMS PARTY STORE Sweet Dreams has closed its party store at 2921 College Ave. and consolidated its inventory into the main Sweet Dreams candy store and boutique at 2901 College on the corner of Russell. No word yet on who will be taking over the now vacant space, but we’ll keep you posted.

LONGBRANCH A neweating destination called Longbranch appears to be opening in the space occupied for over seven years by Sea Salt, and then for just a couple of months by Eat & Lounge, at 2512 San Pablo Ave. West Berkeley Center Partners has posted an application for a “on-sale general eating place” on the property’s door. The name is not new to the area. A music venue called The Longbranch opened at 2504 San Pablo Avenue 44 years ago in the wake of a number of different music spots, according to Rock Archeology 101. A folk music venue opened there is 1963 called The Cabale, later changed to The Cabale Creamery. In 1965 it briefly became The Good Buddy, then Caverns West and finally The Questing Beast — all of them folk joints, but with rock bands starting to play some shows at The Questing Beast. The first electric performance of Country Joe and The Fish took place at the Questing Beast, in March 1966. From 1967 to 1969, 2504 San Pablo was a R&B dance joint called Tito’s, and, starting in 1970, it became The Longbranch. [Hat tip: Anne Peattie]

SAVE THE FROGS America’s first and only public charity dedicated to amphibian conservation has opened an education center at 2524 San Pablo Ave. Save the Frogs comprises an international team of scientists, educators, policymakers and naturalists dedicated to protecting the world’s amphibian species. The organization was founded by ecologist Dr. Kerry Kriger in May 2008. The Education Center will hold educational presentations, classes and workshops and serve as a space to sell the organization’s eco-friendly merchandise.

BUFFALO EXCHANGE Buffalo Exchange, whose Berkeley store is at 2585 Telegraph Ave., is celebrating its 40th anniversary. To mark it, the vintage- and used-clothing store is touring a vintage 1969 Airstream pop-up shop around the country between March and May. It will stop at each of its stores with a special selection of vintage and western apparel, fun promotions, freebies, “and other great stuff.” They will be at their Berkeley location May 5.